Daily Retreat 08/02/07
2007 Aug 2 Thu/ Eusebius of Vercelli, bp/ Peter Julian Eymard, p
Ex 40: 16-21. 34-38/ Ps 83(84): 3. 4. 5-6a and 8a. 11/ Mt 13: 47-53
From today’s readings: “He brought the ark into the Dwelling and hung the curtain veil, thus screening off the ark of the commandments, as the LORD had commanded him.... How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!... The Kingdom of Heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind....”
The End of Exodus
The last chapter of Exodus details the definitive erection and consecration of the Tabernacle, “the Dwelling of the meeting tent,” which was a concrete expression and visible guarantee of God’s guiding presence, as well as the physical focal point for worship, prayer, and “meeting” with God.
Like it is for the Book of Genesis, the common synopsis of Exodus focuses almost exclusively on the earlier chapters. So, many people are surprised to discover that, in addition to the historical narratives about Moses and the Israelites’ flight from Egypt, the Book of Exodus also addresses numerous detailed legal issues, and includes copious chapters introducing many of the Jewish liturgical practices.
A few prayerful hours would be well spent this week re-reading the entire Book of Exodus, since it is arguably the most foundational book in the Old Testament, tracing not just how God, through His servant Moses, led His people from the slavery of Egypt, but also how and why that historical event of the exodus emerged as the constitutional inspiration of Jewish liturgy and morality.
Ex 40: 16-21. 34-38/ Ps 83(84): 3. 4. 5-6a and 8a. 11/ Mt 13: 47-53
From today’s readings: “He brought the ark into the Dwelling and hung the curtain veil, thus screening off the ark of the commandments, as the LORD had commanded him.... How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!... The Kingdom of Heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind....”
The End of Exodus
The last chapter of Exodus details the definitive erection and consecration of the Tabernacle, “the Dwelling of the meeting tent,” which was a concrete expression and visible guarantee of God’s guiding presence, as well as the physical focal point for worship, prayer, and “meeting” with God.
Like it is for the Book of Genesis, the common synopsis of Exodus focuses almost exclusively on the earlier chapters. So, many people are surprised to discover that, in addition to the historical narratives about Moses and the Israelites’ flight from Egypt, the Book of Exodus also addresses numerous detailed legal issues, and includes copious chapters introducing many of the Jewish liturgical practices.
A few prayerful hours would be well spent this week re-reading the entire Book of Exodus, since it is arguably the most foundational book in the Old Testament, tracing not just how God, through His servant Moses, led His people from the slavery of Egypt, but also how and why that historical event of the exodus emerged as the constitutional inspiration of Jewish liturgy and morality.
posted by FrPitstick | 8/01/2007
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